Fiji: Beqa hits a niche market with year round tomatoes

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Uraia Waibuta says the island is the only place in Fiji able to produce tomatoes all year around.“They have a specific climate that allows them to produce tomato during the off-season and that is their competitive advantage.” Waibuta says when Sigatoka valley which is seasonal ends its production; Beqa Island’s production enables the export of fresh tomatoes to continue at a handsome price.“During season you can buy a box of tomato at around 10, 12 even 15 to 20 dollars a box but now the same box is being sold at around 60, 70 even some to 90 dollars a box.”The government is encouraging the people of Beqa to continue producing tomatoes for fresh export as well the high local demand.

http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/28066/beqa-hits-a-niche-market-with-year-aro…